World number one Novak Djokovic brushed aside Kevin Anderson in straight sets to reach the third round at Wimbledon.
The defending champion, chasing his sixth Wimbledon title and record-equalling 20th Grand Slam, won 6-3 6-3 6-3 on a Centre Court surface that continues to cause problems underfoot.
Djokovic will play Andreas Seppi or Denis Kudla next.
The 34-year-old Serb, who made just six unforced errors, called his performance "almost flawless".
"Kevin is a terrific player, very dangerous on grass courts, fast courts," he said. "Obviously a straight-set victory today but still only one break in each set was enough. I held my serve really comfortably.
"Once we get into the rally, I have a better chance. That was one of the tactical goals - try to make the least unforced errors as possible. I knew Kevin was going to serve big and I wasn't going to have too many chances to break his serve. I've done much better than I thought I would do.
"I believed in myself but it was an almost flawless performance today."
Djokovic is one of the first to reach the third round with the tournament still playing catch-up with first-round matches because of the rain-affected opening days.
It was the fourth SW19 meeting between Djokovic and South African Anderson, their last coming in the 2018 final with Djokovic also winning in three sets on that occasion.
The big-serving Anderson - who had knee surgery in 2020 - never seemed to pose a challenge, his performance littered with errors and not once forcing a break point, only salvaging half of those he faced in a dominant display from his opponent.
The biggest issue for Djokovic was the grass.
Centre Court caused problems on Tuesday with tournament-ending injuries for Serena Williams and Adrian Mannarino after slips, and those troubles continued into Wednesday.
Wimbledon says its courts are "as good as they have always been" in response to mounting criticism but Djokovic frequently lost his grip on the turf, much to his initial frustration.
"I seem to have a really nice connection with the grass," he said in his on-court interview. "I don't recall falling this much in the first two rounds of Wimbledon."
Djokovic's frustration grew to a simmer midway through the first set after a series of falls, but it seemed to prove the turning point as he used his agitation to his advantage, winning 12 successive points to see out the set.
His control only increased in the second, sending 6ft 8in Anderson in all directions, and while the two-time Grand Slam runner-up flashed down several aces at the start of the third set, his struggles at the net and 25 unforced errors handed Djokovic victory.
Latest Stories
-
Livestream: Newsfile discusses KPMG report on SML deal, ILO on SSNIT reserves and NDC’s running mate
24 mins -
Ghanaian activist hugs over 1,100 trees in an hour to set Guinness World Records
25 mins -
Mathew Anim Cudjoe’s Dundee United promoted to Scottish Premiership after Championship win
27 mins -
NSMQ star Jochebed Adwoa Sutherland sweeps 12 awards at UG Vice-Chancellor’s Ceremony
1 hour -
Ghana’s Education Quality ranked 125 out of 183 countries in latest Global Youth Development Index
2 hours -
Emma Stone wants people to use her real first name
2 hours -
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Sundowns, Esperance join Al Ahly and Wydad as CAF representatives
6 hours -
CAFCL: Al Ahly set up historic final with ES Tunis
6 hours -
We didn’t sneak out 10 BVDs; they were auctioned as obsolete equipment – EC
10 hours -
King Charles to resume public duties after progress in cancer treatment
10 hours -
Arda Guler scores on first start in La Liga as Madrid beat Real Sociedad
10 hours -
Fatawu Issahaku’s Leicester City secures Premier League promotion after Leeds defeat
11 hours -
Anticipation builds as Junior Speller hosts nationwide auditions
11 hours -
Etse Sikanku: The driver’s mate conundrum
12 hours -
IMF Deputy Chief worried large chunk of Eurobonds is used to service debt
12 hours